Health Promotion Tool Research Articles

IntroductionWhile mobile health (mHealth) offers a seemingly scalable solution to the persistent challenge of chronic disease prevention, its real-world public health impact has arguably been blunted by a single, stubborn issue: low user adherence. The difficulty, in our view, stems from a tendency in the existing literature to treat technology and user psychology as separate domains. This creates what we call a theoretical “black box” between the features of a digital intervention and the behavioral outcomes it is meant to produce. Without a clearer picture of what happens inside this box, efforts to create truly data-driven and effective population-level interventions remain somewhat handicapped.MethodsA self-administered online survey using Wenjuanxing (wjx.cn) was undertaken in a cross-sectional design. Chinese adults (≥18 years) with pre-existing exposure to or intention to use digital health were the target population; a non-probability, voluntary sampling frame yielded 620 usable surveys after screening for quality. The psychometrics were tested, and screening of common-method bias (full-collinearity VIF) preceded testing of structural paths and serial mediation from persuasive features (functional/experiential) to system expectations and through to health beliefs to intention using PLS-SEM.ResultsThe data showed that Persuasive Experiential Support (PES) was a key antecedent for Integrated System Expectation (ISE), which in turn stood out as the strongest predictor of Persuasive Health Belief (PHB). Interestingly, we also uncovered a substantial measurement overlap between our PHB construct and Behavioral Intention (BI)—a finding that points toward a potential “belief-intention fusion” process in these kinds of highly persuasive digital environments.ConclusionTaken together, these results seem to advocate for what might be called an “experience-first, function-as-assist” design philosophy for mHealth interventions targeting chronic disease at scale. In other words, prioritizing an engaging user experience looks to be a critical precondition for building the system trust needed to actually foster health beliefs and drive intentions. Perhaps more importantly, our unexpected finding regarding belief-intention fusion opens up a new, testable research agenda—one that explores how real-time digital interactions might be fundamentally reshaping the cognitive pathways of decision-making. This is a crucial question for the next generation of AI-driven, population-level health promotion tools.

Abstract Background Tools such as guidelines, instruments, or checklists can support the planning, implementation and evaluation of community health promotion activities and thereby ensure their quality and effectiveness. Internationally, tools in various forms and with different thematic foci have been developed, yet there is a lack of a systematic compilation of these tools. The objective of this study is, consequently, to systematically search for tools for community health promotion. Methods Embedded within the Joint Action PreventNCD, we conduct a systematic literature review by searching scientific databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar), websites of international public health agencies, and by performing desk research. Eligible tools are published after 2000 in English or German language, developed or applied in western countries, should work on community level and focus on health promotion and disease prevention. The search is carried out in 10 steps, with each step focusing on one thematic aspect of a predefined community health promotion process (e.g., needs assessment, co-design, evaluation). Results The search for the first four steps (stakeholder engagement, needs assessment, prioritization, mapping health assets) has been completed, yielding a total of 294 tools (98, 44, and 152 from scientific databases, public health websites, and desk research, respectively). Conclusions Most tools were identified through desk research, scientific databases were less yielding. The quality and readiness of the identified tools varies greatly. In many cases, adaptation to individual circumstances is necessary before practical use. The next steps are to make the identified tool available in a repository in a structured way so that health promotion researchers and practitioners can quickly and easily find the right tool at every stage of their actions. This repository will provide - for the first time - a unique resource for all health promotion implementers. Key messages • This study provides, for the first time, a systematic collection of tools that can be used during all phases of a comprehensive community health promotion process. • The tools will be made available in a public repository so that health promotion practitioners and researchers can quickly and easily find suitable tools for their actions.

Stunting remains a significant health issue in Indonesia and poses a risk of hindering human resource development in the future. Efforts to prevent stunting must be initiated early through enhancing the knowledge of pregnant women and mothers of young children regarding the symptoms, causes, and preventive measures. Health information dissemination activities aim to improve participants' knowledge through leaflets about stunting. The method used was face-to-face health information dissemination, supplemented with leaflets as supporting materials, followed by an evaluation of participants' knowledge. The activity involved 10 pregnant women and mothers of young children in the service area of the Landasan Ulin Timur Health Center. Evaluation results showed an increase in knowledge, as indicated by the average score before and after the health information dissemination, which rose from 80% to 100%. This indicates that leaflets are effective as a health promotion tool to enhance public understanding of stunting. In conclusion, leaflets can serve as a simple, practical, and efficient educational alternative in efforts to prevent stunting in the community. Similar activities are recommended to be conducted continuously with the support of healthcare personnel, ensuring optimal prevention of stunting.

Background/Objectives: Table tennis is commonly perceived as a recreational or competitive sport; however, growing evidence highlights its potential as a multidimensional tool for health promotion. This study investigates the perceived physical, cognitive, emotional, and social benefits of regular table tennis practice, emphasizing its contribution to health beyond the purely sporting dimension. Methods: A mixed-method design with a predominantly quantitative approach was employed. A structured questionnaire was administered to 329 table tennis players in Catalonia. Descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), multiple linear regression, Pearson correlations, and hierarchical cluster analysis (Ward’s method) were conducted to examine perceived benefits and identify user profiles. Factor analysis revealed two dimensions: physical–cognitive and emotional–social benefits. Results: The EFA produced a robust two-factor structure, explaining 76.6% of the variance (KMO = 0.941; Bartlett’s test, p < 0.001). Both dimensions showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α > 0.91). Regression analysis demonstrated that both factors significantly predicted the overall perception of table tennis as a health-enhancing activity (R2 = 0.199), with physical–cognitive benefits exerting the strongest effect (β = 0.375; p < 0.001). Cluster analysis identified three distinct profiles: Skeptical, Functional, and Integrative—with significant differences in perceived benefits (η2 = 0.710 for the emotional–social factor). Conclusions: Table tennis emerges as an inclusive, low-impact activity with strong potential to foster physical, emotional, and social well-being. Its accessibility and adaptability make it appropriate for diverse populations. These findings support its inclusion in public health strategies and community programs promoting holistic wellness. Future research should further explore motivational drivers across profiles and extend analyses to underrepresented populations.

BackgroundDigital technologies for health promotion have proliferated over the past decade, with uptake increasing steadily among young people, including those in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Youth increasingly rely on digital tools for health information, and the early influence of this digital technology can have an impact throughout the lifespan. While there is a growing body of literature on the opportunities and challenges of digital health promotion (DHP) for young people, a gap remains in research that closely examines the characteristics of digital health strategies developed specifically for youth in LMICs.ObjectiveIn this paper, we investigate and compare selected examples of DHP tools from 3 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, namely Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa. Our aim is to create a multidimensional descriptive typology of DHP tools developed specifically to promote the health of adolescents and young adults in these countries.MethodsTo select the tools, we conducted systematic internet-based searches using relevant keywords, incorporating the expertise of local professionals to ensure a thorough search. Included solutions originated from one of the 3 countries of focus and could take any number of forms such as apps, websites, chatbots, or social media initiatives. We thereafter deductively created a typology describing selected features of each tool, including the health area of focus, key stakeholders, type of service, and ethical values explicitly referenced within the tool. While such high-level features of interest were selected based on the existing literature in the field, the detailed descriptive categories were identified through an inductive analysis of the tools.ResultsA total of 31 DHP tools were identified. Sexual and reproductive health was the most common health area of focus for DHP services, which were primarily funded and supported by local non-governmental organizations, foundations, and international organizations. The assessed tools were predominantly web-based and social media-based, with the overarching goal and core value of expanding health knowledge and offering access to health promotion services to young people.ConclusionsWith sustained investment, DHP can improve the health of young people while relieving pressure on health care services. The areas of mental health, as well as substance use prevention and nutrition, stand out with clear potential for health gains through investment in DHP. Addressing ethical concerns such as privacy, transparency, equity, and inclusiveness is essential to the safety, usefulness, and fairness of DHP. To achieve the greatest benefit, local youth perspectives and priorities should be included in DHP development. Local initiatives have the potential to be the most agile, flexible, and relevant for the target audience of young people, with the overall goal of early intervention and greater health quality throughout the lifespan, and more efficient use of health care resources.

Early prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by improving lifestyle behaviors such as diet and physical activity among children and adolescents has significant potential to reduce the burden of disease and increase their quality of life. To address the high prevalence of risk factors for NCDs among children and adolescents, the SmartCHANGE project aims to co-design AI-supported health promotion tools for the European population. However, co-designing across multiple stakeholder groups and multiple countries while working with researchers and designers from different disciplinary backgrounds presents substantial challenges, for instance regarding different epistemological assumptions, variations in research terminology, and cultural differences. This paper outlines the SmartCHANGE co-design protocol including a theoretical framework, a table summarizing actionable goals and suggested activities to achieve them, a timeline comparing suggested session number per stakeholder group with design deadlines and a practical protocol describing potential sessions. To inform this flexible co-design protocol, researchers and designers in SmartCHANGE completed a questionnaire regarding local contexts and participated in interviews regarding their research aims and assumptions. Additionally, we conducted a literature search to situate the research within existing frameworks.

Background: Ecotherapy, a growing field within applied environmental psychology, utilizes human–nature interaction as a pathway to mental health and mental well-being. Although prior research has demonstrated the mental health benefits of physical immersion in natural environments, less is known about the effects of indirect or digital nature exposure in structured academic contexts. Objective: This study examined the psychological impact of a classroom-based, digital ecotherapeutic intervention featuring nature imagery and soundscapes on the mental well-being and anxiety levels of university students. Methods: A pre-post intervention design was implemented with a sample of 110 undergraduate students. During the second half of the academic semester, nature-based audiovisual material was integrated into weekly lectures. Psychological outcomes were assessed using two validated instruments: the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale. Results: Statistically significant improvements were observed in four domains of mental well-being: relaxation, cheerfulness, optimism about the future, and energy to spare (p &lt; .05). Several additional indicators showed non-significant positive trends. While GAD-7 scores did not significantly change, some items demonstrated a positive trend suggesting a possible buffering effect against academic stress. Conclusion: The findings support the effectiveness of digital ecotherapeutic interventions in enhancing student mental health well-being, even within indoor academic settings. The intervention’s low cost and easy integration into educational contexts position it as a promising tool for mental health promotion in higher education. This study contributes to expanding ecotherapy beyond natural immersion, offering scalable alternatives for psychological support within urbanized and institutional environments.

This scoping review synthesizes evidence from 40 studies on theater’s role in health promotion. Key findings reveal that non-interactive theater (e.g. traditional scripted performances) predominates and is used widely across contexts. Interactive theater (e.g. forum theater) is primarily employed for healthy lifestyle promotion. Community-based interventions target broad age ranges (7–94 years) and emphasize disease prevention (e.g. HIV/cancer), while school-based projects focus on children/adolescents and social health (e.g. bullying). Theater consistently improves health-related knowledge, attitudes, intentions, and behaviors. The gaps of current literature include underrepresentation of marginalized populations (e.g. immigrants and LGBTQI+), limited focus on mental health, and over-reliance on quantitative evaluation methods. Longitudinal impact assessment is rare. The findings underscore theater’s versatility in addressing health topics but highlight the need for culturally tailored frameworks, mixed-methods evaluation, and inclusive co-design approaches. These findings guide health practitioners, artists, and policymakers in developing effective theater-based health promotion.

IntroductionVipassana meditation (VM) is an ancient meditation technique based on the teachings of Gautama Buddha that involves becoming aware of the present moment and the associated experiences. Therapeutic psychology practices such as mindfulness show promise for improving mental health in terms of stress reduction, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. Despite the increasing use of mindfulness-based interventions, relatively little is known about the unique contribution of VM to the development of mindfulness.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to measure the effect of VM on two key components of mindfulness, awareness and acceptance, using the Philadelphia Mindfulness Scale (PHLMS).Materials and methodsA pre-experimental (pre-test and post-test design) study was conducted at Khadavali Vipassana Centre in Thane, India, over a period of 18 months. The sample (N=156) included participants from diverse socio-demographic backgrounds who engaged in VM for 10 days. The participants were assessed using the PHLMS, a self-report instrument for measuring mindfulness as present-centered awareness and non-judgmental acceptance. Both descriptive and inferential statistics and Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test were used to analyze the pre- and post-test mindfulness scores.ResultsA significant increase in mindfulness was observed post-intervention across all participant groups. Specifically, the average total score for mindfulness increased from 61.47 to 81.09 (p < 0.001). Both the awareness subscale and the acceptance subscale increased significantly from the pre-intervention stage to the post-intervention stage, awareness from 30.76 to 41.11 and acceptance from 30.70 to 39.99. A significant proportion of the participants progressed from a lower level of mindfulness to a higher level, with 74.3% achieving a high level of mindfulness after the VM retreat.ConclusionVM appears to promote mindfulness, mainly because of the effect of acceptance. This study contributes to the literature by demonstrating the value of VM as an intervention in therapeutic work for enhancing mindfulness and, thereby, mental health.

ObjectiveTo examine storytelling interventions as health promotion tools in underserved populations across disease states, including hypertension, diabetes, overall chronic disease, obstetric care, and preventative health to assess intervention design and cultural tailoring and analyze reported quantitative and qualitative health outcomes.Data SourceA comprehensive literature search was performed in PUBMED.Study Inclusion and Exclusion CriteriaStudies were included if they implemented a storytelling intervention to promote health knowledge, behavior change, or health-related outcomes. Excluded studies lacked an evaluated intervention or reported outcomes. Reviews, commentaries, editorials, protocols without outcome data, and duplicate publications without novel findings were excluded. Only English-language studies were included due to reviewer fluency.Data ExtractionTwenty-five studies were included and categorized based on disease focus.Data SynthesisA narrative synthesis and inductive content analysis was performed. Studies were grouped by disease state and analyzed for population demographics, intervention development and delivery, cultural tailoring, storytelling theory, and measured outcomes.ResultsStorytelling, in digital and oral formats, improved health knowledge, self-efficacy, and preventive behaviors. Several methods were employed to culturally tailor interventions. Interventions were based on multiple behavioral theories.ConclusionsWhen culturally tailored and rooted in theory, regardless of delivery format, storytelling can foster behavior change across diverse health conditions.

University students consume relatively more unhealthy foods than healthy foods(1,2). This is concerning as poor dietary patterns could link to poor health. In the context of this study, modifying university students’ diets could maintain or improve their health.Since the establishment of the Eatwell Guide, its adherence rate has been low(3), and only limited research on the topic. There is a potential gap in understanding how the Eatwell Guide is viewed as a health-promoting tool. It is also worth studying if university students see this tool as helpful for healthy eating. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the university students’ perceptions regarding the role of the Eatwell Guide, with the objective of identifying the university student’s perceived barriers and facilitators to using the Eatwell Guide.Convenience, purposive, and snowball sampling were used to recruit participants (n=12) in London. Participants were divided into two groups for semi-structured focus group interviews. One focus group consisted of public health nutrition students (n=6) and another group was students of other disciplines (n=6). Public health nutrition students were recruited as their views could be significant in the effectiveness of the Eatwell Guide implementation, given their job nature. A thematic analysis was used to generate codes and themes.Four themes emerged from the analysis: Healthy Eating Perception, Obstacles to Using the Eatwell Guide, Enablers to Use the Eatwell Guide, and Differences Between the Two Groups. Participants’ perceptions of healthy eating were different from the Eatwell Guide. Participants identified personal (financial situation, time consideration, preferences, and nutrition conception) and environmental factors (food availability, accessibility, and marketing strategies to promote unhealthy foods) as the obstacles to using the Eatwell Guide, while improving the food environment and the feasibility of the Eatwell Guide could be the facilitators. The nutritionist group is more knowledgeable about the Eatwell Guide. However, they also face the above obstacles that the non-nutritionist group faces when practising healthy eating.Eating practice is highly individual, which makes it a complex area to intervene. The originality of this study contributes to the limited literature on the Eatwell Guide by increasing the understanding of factors that deter or help university students from using the Eatwell Guide for healthy eating. The findings could serve as monitoring and evaluation to inform what could result in the low adherence rate to the Eatwell Guide. The findings could also inform public health policy development to create more tailored interventions and improve the food environment for university students. Future research could replicate this study to evaluate the Eatwell Guide in wider populations and explore strategies to communicate it to reach different populations. Foremost, research is needed to examine ways to make the food environment more enabling for university students to improve public health.

BackgroundOral health among adolescents remains a public health concern in Malaysia, with persistent challenges in achieving behavioural change through traditional education methods. Given the widespread use of smartphones among adolescents, mobile health (mHealth) applications offer a promising avenue for health promotion.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the acceptability of the MySmile mobile application (app), designed to improve oral health knowledge and behaviours among secondary school students in Malaysia, using the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA).MethodsThis study employed a qualitative approach that involved five focus group discussions (FGDs) with 23 students from two intervention schools that participated in a 12-week MySmile app intervention. Participants were purposively selected based on their gender, school locality, and frequency of app usage. Discussions were guided by a semi-structured topic guide aligned with the seven TFA domains: affective attitude, burden, ethicality, intervention coherence, opportunity cost, perceived effectiveness, and self-efficacy. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using the Framework Method.ResultsThe app was perceived as highly acceptable across all TFA domains. Students described it as fun, engaging, and easy to use, with gamified features that enhanced learning. The perceived burden was low, and ethicality was reinforced by the app’s culturally appropriate content and privacy features. Participants demonstrated a clear understanding of the app’s purpose and reported no significant opportunity cost. Perceived effectiveness was strong, with students reporting improved brushing habits, reduced sugar intake, and sharing of health messages with family. The app also promoted self-efficacy, with students expressing confidence in applying its recommendations independently.ConclusionsThe MySmile app was well accepted among Malaysian adolescents and appears to be a feasible tool for school-based oral health promotion. These findings support the integration of mHealth strategies in adolescent health programmes and highlight the importance of user-centred, theory-driven intervention design.

Hand Washing with Soap (CTPS) is a hygienic behavior that plays an important role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases, especially in children. However, in reality, this behavior is still not optimally implemented by elementary school students. One approach that can be used to increase awareness and hygienic behavior is through health promotion media that is interesting and appropriate for the child's age, such as comic media. This study aims to determine the influence of comics as a health promotion medium on improving knowledge, attitudes, and actions of CTPS in students at SD Negeri 149 Palembang. This study applied a pre-experimental design with a one group pretest-posttest design approach involving 90 students of class V. Data were collected through questionnaires to measure knowledge and attitudes and observation sheets to assess actions. Data analysis was carried out using the Paired Sample T-Test to determine the differences before and after the intervention. The results showed a significant increase in the three variables, namely the average knowledge score increased from 3.38 to 5.34, attitude from 20.37 to 30.80, and action from 37.22 to 67.21 after being given comic media. Statistical tests showed a p-value of &lt; 0.001 on all variables, which means there was a significant effect after the intervention. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the use of comic media as a health promotion tool has proven to be effective in increasing knowledge, forming positive attitudes, and encouraging better CTPS actions in elementary school students. This study recommends the use of educational and fun visual media as part of health promotion strategies in the school environment.

A mHealth application has revolutionized the way healthcare is accessed, delivered, and managed. With the widespread adoption of Smartphone and the increasing availability of mobile networks, mHealth has emerged as a powerful tool to improve healthcare outcomes and promote well-being. These applications harness the convenience and ubiquity of mobile devices to provide a range of health-related services and support, empowering individuals to take control of their own health. mHealth applications offer a diverse range of functionalities, catering to various aspects of healthcare. They enable users to track their fitness activities, monitor vital signs, manage chronic conditions, and access personalized health information. The convenience of mobile technology allows individuals to access healthcare services and resources anytime and anywhere, breaking down geographical barriers and improving healthcare accessibility, especially in underserved areas. Overall, mHealth applications have the potential to transform healthcare delivery, empowering individuals, and improving health outcomes. They serve as valuable tools for health promotion, disease prevention, self-care management, and remote healthcare access. If an app is difficult to use or confusing, users are less likely to engage with it and may abandon it altogether. Research can identify usability barriers and suggest improvements that enhance user engagement and increase the likelihood of app adoption. Usable mHealth applications empower individuals to actively participate in their healthcare management. When an app is intuitive and easy to navigate, users can more effectively monitor their health, adhere to medication schedules, track their progress, and make informed decisions. Research on usability can inform the development of user-centered designs that promote patient empowerment and self-care. Usable mHealth applications have the potential to improve health outcomes. When users can easily access and understand health information, follow treatment plans, track symptoms, and communicate with healthcare providers, they are more likely to achieve positive health outcomes. Research can explore how usability factors contribute to improved health outcomes and inform best practices for app design. Overall, research on the usability of mHealth applications is essential for creating user-friendly, effective, and engaging apps that empower individuals, improve health outcomes, and drive the successful adoption of mobile health technologies. TOPSIS is a straightforward and intuitive method for decision-making, providing a systematic approach to evaluate alternatives based on multiple criteria. It helps decision-makers consider different factors and their relative importance when selecting the most suitable option. However, it's important to note that TOPSIS does not account for trade-offs between criteria and assumes that all criteria have equal importance, unless weighted differently. Instant Heart Rate, PulsePoint Respond, Blood Pressure Monitor, Cardio, Blood Pressure Companion, Qardio, Forecheck, Cardiac Diagnosis (Arrhythmia) Learnability, Efficiency, Memorability, Error, Navigation, Cognitive Load Result is showing that the first rank goes to instant heart rate and the last rank is secured by PulsePoint Respond.

Social media has emerged as a powerful and accessible platform for health communication, including the promotion of oral health among diverse population groups. The present umbrella review synthesized evidence from five systematic reviews and content-analysis studies published between 2022 and 2025 to evaluate the role of social media as a tool for oral health promotion across various digital platforms. With the widespread adoption of platforms such as YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, and TikTok for health communication, there is growing interest in their capacity to influence oral-health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. This review included systematic reviews and meta-analyses that assessed interventions or content targeting general populations, including children, adolescents, adults, and caregivers. Outcomes included knowledge improvement, behavioral changes, clinical indices such as plaque and gingival scores, and measures of content quality and engagement. Methodological quality was assessed using AMSTAR-2 (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2), and certainty of evidence for meta-analyzed outcomes was evaluated using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation). Risk of duplication was addressed via Corrected Covered Areaanalysis. Among the included reviews, digital interventions led to modest improvements in oral-health practices and significant knowledge gains in specific subgroups, although the overall certainty of evidence was low to very low due to methodological limitations, short follow-up, and inconsistency. Content-analysis studies highlighted substantial variability in the quality, reliability, and readability of social-media content, with a notable prevalence of misinformation, especially in parent-targeted videos. The findings suggest that social media holds promise as an adjunct to traditional oral-health education but requires careful content regulation and further high-quality research. The review provides a comprehensive synthesis of current knowledge and identifies gaps for future intervention development and policy frameworks in digital oral-health promotion.

Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Global Breast Cancer Initiative (GBCI) in 2021 with a goal to reduce breast cancer (BC) mortality by 2.5% per year, saving the lives of 2.5 million women by 2040. WHO defines three key strategies of the GBCI: health promotion (HP) for early disease detection; timely diagnosis, and holistic management of BC. The purpose of this study was to trace the history of the "Breast Cancer Research Stamp" (BCRS) as an HP tool to raise awareness and funds for BC research. The article is part of a series of research studies dedicated to the semi-postal stamps, which have an added financial value, collected for a specific health cause. Methods: A literature review in 2024 of documents and scientific publications was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar with the keywords "semi-postal stamp" and "BC". Results: The edition of the first BCRS in 1997 was a result of the energetic actions of three prominent advocates in the fight against BC: Dr. Balazs Bodai, Elizabeth Mullen and David Goodman. BCRS’s success was spectacular. By the end of 2005, $47.9 million had been raised for BC research. Further, over 70 countries have issued their BCRS. Conclusions: BCRS transcended national boundaries, achieving global recognition as a symbol of the collective fight against BC. Beyond its practical impact, BCRS represents a unique blend of art and advocacy, inspiring generations with its evocative and poetic call to action: "FUND THE FIGHT. FIND A CURE".

BackgroundArtificial intelligence (AI) holds promise as a tool that can be used by practitioners in the field of occupational health and safety (OHS). This study aimed to identify AI applications specifically used for OHS and examine their impact on worker morbidity or mortality outcomes.MethodsWe conducted a comprehensive systematic review. We searched six databases to identify published quantitative studies of OHS AI applications across the hierarchy of controls that were published between years 2018 to 2024. Title/abstract and full-text screening was conducted to identify eligible studies which were then assessed for quality and risk of bias and synthesized.ResultsOf the 1255 articles identified by our search, only two met eligibility criteria; one of which was appraised as medium quality and the other as low quality. The one medium quality study identified by our review was an AI-based chatbot health promotion tool which was shown to improve musculoskeletal symptoms. Our systematic review shows that we are at the early stages of understanding the role AI can play in OHS and it may be premature to recommend the wide-spread use of AI for health and safety practice within workplaces.ConclusionThere is a critical need for future research to unpack how considerations taken in the development and adoption of workplace AI tools for OHS can determine their effectiveness in addressing worker injury or illness.Systematic review registration:PROSPERO CRD42023414422.

IntroductionResearch on digital health tools (DHT) use in rheumatologic disease (RD) patients is lacking.MethodData from the 2017 and 2018 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) were used to compare DHT ownership and perceived usefulness between individuals with and without RD and to evaluate how health applications usage influenced health behaviors in RD patients.ResultsNo significant differences in smartphone or health applications ownership were found between the groups. Among RD patients, older males and those with lower incomes were less likely to use DHT. DHT users reported better communication with healthcare providers, but no significant impact on health behaviors.ConclusionsFemales, individuals <65 years, and those with higher annual income had higher odds of health applications usage. DHT facilitated better communication between patients with RD and healthcare providers. DHT tailored for RD are readily available but remain underutilized and warrant further exploration to improve health outcomes in this population.

Background Adolescence is a period of transition in which young people undergo physical, psychological and social changes. While most move through this transition with few problems, others experience greater difficulties, which may lead to an increased risk of becoming vulnerable to mental health issues. Social media use amongst young people is high; an abundance of literature identifies the deleterious impact of its use on mental health. However, its positive influence on youth well-being is also reported. Ireland’s mental health policy recommends harnessing the positive role social media can play in the promotion of youth mental health. However, an evidence gap exists as to how this can be implemented. This scoping review aims to identify the barriers and enablers to the use of social media as a youth mental health promotion tool, to inform the implementation of policy recommendations. Methods The search strategy, screening, extraction and synthesis will be informed by the JBI guidelines. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research will guide the identification and mapping of implementation determinants. The review outcomes will be reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. Primary studies focused on young people and key stakeholders, such as teachers and parents, identifying barriers and enablers to the use of social media for youth mental health promotion will be included. A librarian-developed search strategy will be applied to the Web of Science Core Collection, Medline (EBSCO), Embase, PsycINFO and CINAHL databases. A narrative synthesis of the results guided by CFIR framework will be presented. Conclusion The review extends the work of previous reviews by adopting an Implementation Science approach focusing on the identification and mapping of implementation barriers and enablers to the use of social media as a youth mental health promotion tool. Registration Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/T5YF7M)

Relevance and novelty. The rapidly changing social and technological environment has a significant impact on the lifestyle and physical activity of the younger generation. Scientific research shows that the lack of movement in adolescents is becoming an increasingly relevant public health problem, which is associated with declining physical capacity, overweight, psychological difficulties, and lack of motivation to participate in active activities (Ostermeier et al., 2024; World Health Organization, 2021). During the winter period, opportunities for physical activity in the natural environment are significantly reduced, therefore it is necessary to promote winter sports, such as cross-country skiing, which can help maintain and strengthen the health and motivation of young people to move (Babaei-Zarch et al., 2024). Although cross-country skiing has obvious physiological and psychological benefits, the impact of this sport on the health and physical activity of adolescents is still insufficiently studied, especially in Lithuania. Therefore, it is relevant to systematically analyse the role of cross-country skiing in the health promotion and development of adolescents (Hoffman &amp; Clifford, 1992). Cross-country skiing is a full-body workout that combines endurance, coordination, and strengthening of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. This sport can become not only an effective health promotion tool, but also a motivational education tool for adolescents, encouraging them to know the joy of movement, experience togetherness, and develop responsibility for their health. Scientific problem. Although the importance of physical activity for the health of adolescents is well known, recently their lack of physical activity, which negatively affects both physical and mental health, has been increasingly noted. Despite the fact that physical activity education among adolescents is widely recognised as an important health promotion tool, the level of physical activity significantly decreases during the winter season due to limited opportunities to engage in outdoor sports (Ostermeier et al., 2024). Especially in the winter period, when opportunities for active activities in the natural environment decrease, adolescents become less active. Cross-country skiing is a complex form of physical activity that can effectively promote the physical and mental health of adolescents, but there is a lack of theoretical and empirical research that comprehensively examines the benefits of this sport and the possibilities of integrating it into the educational process (Hoffman &amp; Clifford, 1992; Babaei-Zarch et al., 2024). Therefore, there is a need to analyse the impact of cross-country skiing on the strengthening of physical activity and motivation of adolescents more thoroughly, as well as to assess the possibilities of its application in the educational system. Research object. The processes of physical activity and health strengthening of adolescents (14–16 years) related to the practice of cross-country skiing. The aim of the article is to reveal the importance of cross-country skiing for the health and physical activity of adolescents aged 14–16. The physiological, psychological, and educational aspects shall be analysed, and the importance of integrating this activity into the general education process emphasised. Methods. 1. Analysis and research of scientific literature; 2. Data analysis and processing. Results. The winter season significantly reduces the level of physical activity among adolescents, as opportunities for outdoor activities in the natural environment become limited. Cross-country skiing, as a winter sport, plays an important preventive role, allowing to maintain and promote the physical activity and health of adolescents during the winter months. By promoting this activity, the effects of winter inactivity, which can lead to a decrease in physical capacity, overweight, and psychological difficulties, are reduced. Therefore, promoting winter physical activity through cross-country skiing is an important tool to ensure consistent maintenance of physical activity throughout the year. Keywords: cross-country skiing, physical activity, health, adolescents, education, motivation, winter sports.